The future of Google’s Chrome browser may be up for grabs, and some major players are now lining up to express their attention.
At the continuous antitrust remedies test, US v. Google, the US Department of Justice is pushing for extreme changes to tear up what it calls Google’s illegal dominance. One of the biggest ideas? Forcing Google to offer Chrome, the world’s most common internet browser.
Who wants Chrome — and why
With almost two-thirds of the international website market, Chrome is the default search website for billions of customers. That’s why OpenAI, Perplexity, and yet Ask see it as a fantastic opportunity. Owning Chrome would offer any business fast access to a large crowd, letting them drive their own research machines, AI equipment, or other services.
Nick Turley, head of goods at OpenAI, testified that his business would be eager to buy Chrome if it becomes attainable. “Yes, we had, as did many other functions, ” Turley said in court. He added that owning Chrome could help OpenAI build an “AI-first ” browsing experience.
Artificial search company Perplexity is even interested in buying Chrome. Dmitry Shevelenko, Perplexity’s chief business agent, said, “ I think we could do it ” when asked if Perplexity had run Chrome without sacrificing quality, according to The Verge. Perplexity is now working on its own website, but buying Chrome would be a path to trillions of users.
Internet is another potential client. Brian Provost, Yahoo Search’s general manager, testified that buying Chrome had cost “tens of billions of dollars” but said it could occur with backing from Apollo Global Management, Yahoo’s user, The Verge reported.
How much could Chrome become for?
The browser’s cost label could be substantial. DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg gave a rough estimate during the trial, saying Chrome could be worth up to$ 50 billion, according to Bloomberg.
Google executor is n’t convinced anyone else could manage Chrome properly
Parisa Tabriz, Chrome’s public administrator, argued in court that Chrome is deeply tied to other parts of Google. “Chrome currently represents 17 years of collaboration between the Chrome people ” and the rest of Google, Tabriz said, as reported by Bloomberg. She added, “ I don’t believe it could be recreated. ”
Tabriz pointed out that essential features like Chrome’s healthy searching method and login security rely on shared Google infrastructure.
But not everyone agrees. James Mickens, a Harvard computer science professor and expert witness for the DOJ, testified that sending Chrome is “feasible from a technical perspective, ” saying it could be done without “breaking very much, ” according to Bloomberg.
Last decision looms: Will Google lose Chrome?
The Justice Department wants more than Chrome’s sales. It wants a moratorium on Google making special offers with smartphone manufacturers like Samsung and companies like AT& T, deals that lawyers say helped Google maintain its dominance.
Judge Amit Mehta has previously ruled that Google “is a corporation, and it has acted as one to keep its dominance. ” A final choice on treatments is expected by August, but with appeals good, this story may stretch out much longer.
For today, Google’s hand on Chrome remains strong. But if the judge sides with the Court, we could quickly see one of the biggest computer shakeups in world history.
